Monthly Archives: October 2011
This project was inspired by a quick drawbridge project we use to illustrate tension in our buildings class. When we started to play with the materials, it transformed into this cereal box castle with the drawbridge rope doubling as a handle for closing and carrying. We love our miniatures! We added some characters (inspired by favorite dad designer, Joel Henriques) that can be printed out and colored in. Or, better yet, create your own… enjoy! Continue reading
I’ve always loved Halloween, and I still do. As I’ve gotten older, my favorite thing about Halloween has become the joy and creative satisfaction I get from making my Halloween costume happen. So, when we decided to do a Costume Creations Workshop, I was really excited to help cultivate the DIY spirit in the next generation of crafters. Continue reading
Over the weekend’s social and family gatherings, in the natural courses of conversation, I found I kept recommending this book, The Mostly True Story of Jack, by Kelly Barnhill. There are so many of my daughter’s books that I have enjoyed just as much as I have my ‘own’… Continue reading
Robotics was a new theme Curious Jane offered this past summer. In truth, it was a bit of Intro Robotics and bit of Electronics 101. A favorite project – hands-down – was the drawbot. All it takes is a paper cup, a few markers, a small motor and AA batterypack. But we learned the most important piece of all was the small nut, screw (any little item) that we hot-glued to the motor off-center. This tiny bit of weight variance caused the drawbots to dance and skitter all about. With its marker tripod, this off-kilter motion led to some really cool patterns! To try these projects out at home, click through the links at the end of the post – and have fun! Continue reading
Halloween Glitter Scene I regularly receive emails from Michael’s Craft Store, and I adapted this project from a Halloween scene they shared this month. I changed many of the materials to suit a younger age-group. For example, the original project involved lots of fine-detail painting for the faces, so we used Sculpey color clay instead; it’s more fun to work with and more suitable to the creativity and motor skills of amateur designers. I substituted Styrofoam parts for wooden parts because they are cheap, available, and very easy to assemble (just connect the pieces with some slim wooden dowels). We amped up the glitter usage, covering almost everything in sparkles. Really, who doesn’t love a great glitter project? We only avoid it because of the mess. This project is a great excuse to overdose on glitter with an easy clean-up. I grew up on Michael’s Craft Supply; I can smell … Continue reading
From early written history, up through the 1990s, the teenage brain has been characterized as being clouded by dark forces, causing teens to behave in irrational, inexplicable, even dangerous ways. However, in the 1990s, detailed brains scans made possible by new imaging technology showed a massive re-organization and re-modeling taking place during the teen years and even into the early twenties. In the 2000s, scientists examined the teenage brain in light of evolutionary theory and found it to be highly adapted and perfectly wired for the most difficult and critical task humans undertake.
“The New Science of the Teenage Brain” landed in my mailbox last week – the cover story of National Geographic’s October issue and the top of my Sunday reading list. After being blown-away by its findings, I shared it with a friend – a therapist who works with teens. “You should read this fantastic article. Maybe teens aren’t inexplicable; maybe they’re amazing.” She replied, “I know – a lot of people have mixed feelings towards the teen years – confusion, frustration, anxiety, excitement, trepidation… but I find teens absolutely fascinating!” Exactly. Continue reading
For us, the real start to the new year is October. In October, after-school gets into full swing, and we start getting involved in events to stay connected to families during the year. There are a couple of events coming up this month that we’re getting ready for:
October 15 and 16- DIY Fashion Weekend Workshop: Costume Creations
October 29- Ghouls and Gourds at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
October is also when we start tackling our giant list of things to do before camp next year! Most people don’t realize what all needs to happen in order for camp to work successfully, and that running a summer program truly is a year-round endeavor. Securing locations for 2012, refining the curriculum, and updating our website are just a few of the things on our plate for fall… Continue reading
Samantha Razook Murphy is the founder of Curious Jane and Blue Tree. She was inspired to create these unique programs to give her girls, and all girls, a chance to be creative and inventive in a high-energy, collaborative and gender-affirming space. She loves designing, tinkering and figuring out. Samantha is the mother of two girls and lives in Brooklyn, NY. She holds her BA from Yale and Masters in Industrial Design from Pratt. In her spare time she coaches volleyball and rides her bike around Brooklyn.